Delaney Statement on Israel’s Decision to Block Members of Congress from Visiting Country

Posted by Team Delaney on August 15, 2019

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS, MD – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to prohibit two members of the United States House of Representatives, Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, from visiting Israel later this week. The move comes after President Trump tweeted that Israel “would show great weakness” if they were allowed to do.

Previously, Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer stated that Omar and Tlaib would be allowed to enter, “out of respect for the U.S. Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America.”

John Delaney releases the following statement:

“Ambassador Dermer’s initial statement was precisely correct, and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to deny US elected officials to enter is precisely wrong. I’m disappointed that the Prime Minister and his government did this, and it is clear that President Trump pushed him to do so as part of his effort to make Israel policy a partisan wedge to further divide the country. Support for the incredible U.S.-Israel alliance has always been bipartisan and it should remain so. Majority Whip Steny Hoyer and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy showed the right kind of bipartisan leadership when they urged Israel to allow these Members of Congress in. We benefit from more dialogue, not less. While I strongly disagree with Rep Tlaib and Rep Omar’s support of BDS, I strongly agree that vibrant democracies and great leaders must lift up and put the long term strength of the alliance above partisan talking points.”